Ning Chen was chatting with the three women when Gu Yichun came to report that Ning Xing and Ning Mao were back.

Ning Chen went to the main hall.

Ning Xing and Ning Mao came forward nervously and bowed. "Greetings, my lord prince!"

"Get up!" Ning Chen raised a hand and pointed to the chairs beside him. "Sit!"

The two of them went over and sat bolt upright, watching Ning Chen anxiously.

"It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"F-fine, just fine!"

Ning Xing's voice shook.

Ning Chen smiled. "Relax. What happened before is long in the past."

You think we believe that? The two of them had their doubts. If it was all in the past, why bring it up at all? He obviously hadn't forgotten.

"I hear you two have been doing good work lately. That deserves some praise... Stay for dinner tonight!"

"Thank you, my lord prince!"

Ning Xing looked at Ning Chen, started to say something and stopped.

Ning Chen glanced at him. "If you have something to say, say it."

Ning Xing worked up his courage. "I, I have a suggestion."

"What suggestion?"

Ning Xing pulled a map out of his robe and came over to spread it on the table at Ning Chen's elbow. He pointed to a spot on it. "This river is called the White Mountain River. It's about a hundred and twenty miles from here.

I want to bring this river to Xuanwu City.

Xuanwu City's biggest problem right now is water. The moat is dry, and the wells barely give enough to drink.

If we bring the White Mountain River to Xuanwu City, it won't just fill the moat. We can use it to water the fields, wash clothes, raise livestock... It would solve the water problem nicely. It's just a huge amount of work."

Ning Chen's eyes lit up, and he nodded.

"Approved! You two are in charge of it. I'll tell Yuan Long to assign you some of the slaves, and you'll have full command."

Ning Xing was beaming. "I, I can do it on my…